Cradle Songs – Now and Then – Christmastide 2018

J. O’Reilly Productions, Cultural Arts and Blog
J. O’Reilly Productions, Cultural Arts and Blog
Cradle Songs - Now and Then - Christmastide 2018
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Sing Sweet and Low Your Lullabies
From the Singer Archive.
My Mother, Winifred (pictured here with me), sang us the Brahm’s Lullaby, in German, and Stille Nacht at Christmas.  A Cradle in Bethlehem is my favorite lullaby to sing at Christmas.  I sing it on the radio, in my concerts, and at the end of our annual caroling party for my children and singing family.  Now I am a grandmother to Olive and Arlo, expecting a new grandson in January, and it will be theirs, too.


A Cradle in Bethlehem
by Larry Stock and Alfred Bryan


I first learned A Cradle in Bethlehem from the singing of Nat King Cole, when Nia was a two-week old, and I sang it live on WBEZ in a concert at the Old Town School.  This is the Jamie O’Reilly & The Rogues 1988 version. Live from Fitzgerald’s, when I was a mere 30 years old!  Players listed below. (pictured Jamie, Nia and Meg).  Listen to version 1.

 

This is the 2003 WFMT Folkstage version of A Cradle in Bethlehem, with Paul Amandes and Michael Smith.  That year we performed it with Michael’s original work The Gift of the Magi, on WFMT 98.7 FM radio.  This song is on an unreleased recording, thanks to Rich Warren. Players listed below.  Listen to version 2.


From the Rogues Christmas CD, unreleased recording, 1988
A Cradle in Bethlehem – version 1 – with the Rogues
Jamie solo vocals
Paul Amandes, Peter Swenson guitars
Stuart Rosenberg, mandolin
Tom Amandes, recorder
John Floeter, bass


From Live on WFMT Folkstage, unreleased recording, 2003
A Cradle in Bethlehem – version 2  –
Jamie solo vocals
Paul Amandes, guitar
Michael Smith, guitar
Al Ehrich, bass

E-Newsletter and blog published by Jamie O’Reilly, c 2018. Public use of images prohibited.